JP6204248B2 - Operation panel support mechanism and image forming apparatus having the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation panel support mechanism and an image forming apparatus including the same, and more particularly to an operation panel support mechanism for attaching an operation panel to an apparatus main body and an image forming apparatus including the operation panel support mechanism.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus is provided with an operation panel operated by a user and an operation panel having a display unit. The operation panel is generally fixed to the main body of the image forming apparatus. However, the angle cannot be adjusted with the fixed operation panel, so the user can be a tall person, a short person, or a person using a wheelchair. In some cases, user visibility and operability are reduced.

  In view of this, an image forming apparatus has been proposed in which an operation panel is rotatable in the vertical direction. As such an image forming apparatus, for example, an apparatus that can release the lever member and fix the angle of the operation panel in several stages, or an apparatus that has a so-called free stop function that holds the operation panel at an arbitrary angle is known. ing. An image forming apparatus having a free stop function can improve the visibility and operability of the user as compared with an image forming apparatus in which the angle of the operation panel can be fixed to only a few steps.

  An image forming apparatus that can release the lever member and fix the angle of the operation panel in several stages is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1, and has an image having a so-called free stop function that holds the operation panel at an arbitrary angle. A forming apparatus is disclosed in Patent Document 2, for example.

JP 2011-215288 A JP 2013-38690 A

  However, since the conventional image forming apparatus cannot cope with the height of the user's back and the height of the line of sight, further improvement in the visibility and operability of the user has been desired.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an operation panel support mechanism capable of further improving the visibility and operability of the operation panel, and the operation panel support mechanism. An image forming apparatus is provided.

  In order to achieve the above object, the operation panel support mechanism of the present invention is an operation panel support mechanism for attaching the operation panel to the apparatus main body, and is fixed to the operation panel and a first support member fixed to the apparatus main body. Second support member, a rotation mechanism that supports the second support member so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction, and holds the second support member at an arbitrary angle within a rotatable range, and a second support member And a moving mechanism for holding the second support member at an arbitrary height within a range in which the second support member can be translated.

  According to the present invention, the second support member is supported so as to be pivotable in the vertical direction, and the pivot mechanism that holds the second support member at an arbitrary angle within the pivotable range, and the second support member include the first support member. And a movement mechanism that supports the first support member so as to be movable in the vertical direction and holds the second support member at an arbitrary height within a range in which the second support member can be translated. Thus, in addition to being able to hold the operation panel at an arbitrary angle, it is possible to move the operation panel in the vertical direction relative to the apparatus body and hold it at an arbitrary height. For this reason, the operation panel can be widely adapted to the height and line of sight of the user, so that the visibility and operability of the user can be further improved.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a structure of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the structure around the operation panel support mechanism of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention from the back side. FIG. 2 is a rear view showing a structure around an operation panel support mechanism of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a state where an operation panel of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is erected. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which an operation panel of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is tilted to the back side of the apparatus. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a structure around a moving mechanism and a detection mechanism of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention from the back side. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a structure around a moving mechanism and a detection mechanism of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention from the back side. 1 is a perspective view showing a structure around a moving mechanism and a detection mechanism of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention from the front side. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a structure around a moving mechanism and a detection mechanism of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention from the back side.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  An image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an apparatus main body 1 and an operation panel 3 attached to the front side of the apparatus main body 1.

  An image reading unit that reads image information of a document on the contact glass 2 a is provided in the image reading device 2 at the upper part of the apparatus main body 1. The image reading unit includes a scanner lamp that illuminates the document during copying, a scanning optical system equipped with a mirror that changes the optical path of reflected light from the document, a condensing lens that focuses the reflected light from the document, And a CCD sensor or the like (not shown) that converts the imaged image light into an electrical signal, and reads a document image and converts it into image data.

  The operation panel 3 includes operation buttons and a display unit operated by the user, and is provided on the front portion of the image reading apparatus 2. A platen (not shown) that presses the document placed on the contact glass 2a is provided on the upper part of the image reading device 2 so as to be opened and closed. On the platen, an automatic document feeder (not shown) may be provided that automatically and sequentially feeds one document at a time from the document bundle onto the contact glass 2a.

  Below the image reading device 2, an in-body discharge space 4 is provided that is largely open toward the left side and the front.

  A plurality (two in this case) of paper feed cassettes 5 for storing paper (recording media) are detachably attached to the apparatus main body 1 at the front portion of the apparatus main body 1.

  Inside the apparatus main body 1, there are provided an image forming unit, a fixing unit, a paper transport unit, and the like (not shown). The image forming unit forms an image by transferring a toner image onto a supplied sheet based on image data read by the image reading device 2. The image forming unit includes a photosensitive drum that carries an electrostatic latent image, a charging unit that charges the surface of the photosensitive drum, and an exposure that forms an electrostatic latent image corresponding to a document image on the surface of the photosensitive drum with a laser beam or the like. Unit, a developing unit for forming a toner image by attaching a developer to the formed electrostatic latent image, a transfer roller for transferring the toner image to a sheet, a cleaning blade for removing residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum, and the like. Yes. The fixing unit fixes the toner image on the paper by heating and pressurizing the paper on which the toner image is transferred. A paper transport unit (not shown) extends upward along the right side surface of the apparatus main body 1 and transports paper from the paper feed cassette 5 to the image forming unit.

  In addition, a paper feed unit (not shown) that feeds paper from the paper feed cassette 5 and transports the paper to a paper transport unit (not shown) disposed above is provided at the lower right side inside the apparatus main body 1. It has been. Further, a right cover member 8 that covers the right side of the sheet conveying unit is provided on the right side surface of the apparatus main body 1, and a front cover member 9 is provided on the front surface so as to be opened and closed.

  Next, a structure for attaching the operation panel 3 to the apparatus main body 1 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the operation panel 3 is attached to the apparatus main body 1 using an operation panel support mechanism 10. The operation panel support mechanism 10 supports the first support member 11 fixed to the apparatus main body 1, the second support member 12 fixed to the operation panel 3, and the second support member 12 so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction. The rotating mechanism 20 and a moving mechanism 30 that supports the second support member 12 so as to be movable in the vertical direction with respect to the first support member 11 are configured.

  The first support member 11 is formed by bending a sheet metal, and is fixed to the apparatus main body 1 using screws or the like. 2 and 3, the second support member 12 is formed by bending a sheet metal, and is fixed to the operation panel 3 using screws or the like.

  The rotation mechanism 20 is inserted into the insertion hole of the bent portion of the second support member 12 and extends in the horizontal direction, and the shaft support member 22 formed by bending the sheet metal and through which the shaft portion 21 passes. And including. When the second support member 12 rotates in the vertical direction around the shaft portion 21, the operation panel 3 rotates in the vertical direction. The operation panel 3 can be rotated within a range from a vertically standing position (position in FIG. 4) to a position tilted 75 degrees toward the back of the apparatus (position in FIG. 5).

  The operation panel 3 is disposed so as not to protrude forward from the front surface of the apparatus main body 1 (the front surface on the left side in FIG. 1). For example, the operation panel 3 is flush with the front surface of the apparatus main body 1 in a standing state (the state of FIG. 4). Is arranged.

  Further, the rotation mechanism 20 is configured to have a so-called free stop function that holds the second support member 12 at an arbitrary angle within a range in which the second support member 12 can be rotated. For example, if the bent portion of the second support member 12 and the bent portion of the shaft portion support member 22 are formed close to each other and a wave washer is sandwiched between the gaps, the second support member 12 can be easily formed by the frictional force of the wave washer. Can be held at any angle.

  Further, in the rotation mechanism 20, a load applied in a direction perpendicular to the operation surface (touch surface) of the operation panel 3 is a first value (a load when the user touches the operation surface of the operation panel 3, for example, 100N to 150N), the second support member 12 is held at a predetermined angle. The rotation mechanism 20 rotates the second support member 12 when a load applied in a direction perpendicular to the operation surface (touch surface) of the operation panel 3 is larger than the first value. Thereby, in a normal input operation (touch) by the user, the angle of the operation panel 3 is not changed, and the angle of the operation panel 3 is to be changed (when a load larger than the first value is applied to the operation panel 3) Only the angle of the operation panel 3 can be changed. The set load of the first value can be easily adjusted by changing the thickness or size of a wave washer, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the moving mechanism 30 is engaged with the rack member 31 supported by the first support member 11 and the rack member 31 that moves in the vertical direction together with the second support member 12 by a predetermined distance (for example, 0 mm or more and 40 mm or less). Drive gear 32. The rack member 31 is fixed to the lower surface of the shaft support member 22. 6 and 7, the rack member 31 is perpendicular to the rack member 31 from the rack gear portion 31a and one side of the rack gear portion 31a (the right side in FIG. 6) (the front surface of FIG. 6). One end piece 31b provided so as to protrude and extending in the vertical direction with a certain thickness, and the extending direction of the rack member 31 (left side of FIG. 6) from the other side (left side of FIG. 6) of the rack gear portion 31a And the other end piece 31c formed so as to protrude in the vertical direction with a certain thickness.

  The drive gear 32 engages with the rack gear portion 31a and rotates as the rack member 31 moves in the vertical direction. The first support member 11 (see FIG. 2) is provided with a guide rail member (not shown) extending in the vertical direction along the one end piece 31b and the other end piece 31c. The piece 31c moves in the vertical direction along the guide rail member. The drive gear 32 and a lowering stop mechanism 40 described later are attached to the first support member 11 via a guide rail member or the like.

  In addition, the moving mechanism 30 is configured to have a so-called free stop function that holds the second support member 12 at an arbitrary height within a range in which the second support member 12 can be translated. For example, if the rotation of the drive gear 32 is regulated using a wave washer or the like, the second support member 12 can be easily held at an arbitrary height.

  Further, the moving mechanism 30 has a first load when the load applied to the operation panel 3 in the vertical direction is equal to or less than a second value (the load when the user touches the operation surface of the operation panel 3, for example, 100 N to 150 N). 2 The support member 12 is held at a predetermined height. Further, the moving mechanism 30 moves the second support member 12 in the vertical direction when the load applied to the operation panel 3 in the vertical direction is larger than the second value. Accordingly, the height of the operation panel 3 is not changed in a normal input operation (touch) by the user, and a load larger than the second value is applied to the operation panel 3 when it is desired to change the height of the operation panel 3. The height of the operation panel 3 can only be changed. The set load of the second value can be easily adjusted by changing the thickness or size of a wave washer, for example.

  In the vicinity of the moving mechanism 30, a lowering stop mechanism 40 is provided that stops the lowering of the second support member 12 when the second support member 12 descends at a predetermined speed or higher with respect to the first support member 11. Specifically, the descent stop mechanism 40 includes a detection mechanism 41 (see FIG. 8) that detects the descent speed of the rack member 31, a solenoid 42 that is driven based on the detection result of the detection mechanism 41, a stopper 43, and an actuator unit. 44.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the detection mechanism 41 includes a slit disk 41a that is fixed to the shaft portion of the drive gear 32 and rotates integrally with the drive gear 32, and a sensor 41b. The slit disk 41a is formed with slits (holes) at certain angles, and the sensor 41b is provided with a light emitting element and a light receiving element so as to sandwich the slit disk 41a. The sensor 41b is turned on / off along with the rotation of the slit disk 41a, and the rotational speeds of the slit disk 41a and the drive gear 32 are detected based on the on / off switching speed of the sensor 41b. Then, the descending speed of the rack member 31 is detected based on the rotational speed of the drive gear 32. The rack member 31 is formed with an elongated through hole 31d (see FIG. 8, not shown in FIGS. 6, 9, etc.) in the vertical direction in which the shaft portion of the drive gear 32 is inserted.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the solenoid 42 does not extend when the lowering speed of the rack member 31 is less than a predetermined value, and is arranged at a predetermined distance from the stopper 43. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, the solenoid 42 extends when the lowering speed of the rack member 31 is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, and presses the stopper 43 downward.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the stopper 43 is configured to rotate about a rotation shaft 43a. In addition, the stopper 43 is normally biased counterclockwise by a biasing member (not shown) and does not press the actuator portion 44.

  The actuator portion 44 is configured to rotate about a rotation shaft 44a. The actuator portion 44 is normally biased counterclockwise by a biasing member (not shown) and is not engaged with the rack gear portion 31a of the rack member 31.

  When the rack member 31 is lowered at a speed equal to or higher than a predetermined value, as shown in FIG. 44 is pressed downward. As a result, the actuator portion 44 rotates clockwise, engages with the rack gear portion 31a of the rack member 31, and stops the descent of the rack member 31.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the rotation mechanism 20 that holds the second support member 12 at an arbitrary angle, and the second support member 12 are supported so as to be movable in the vertical direction with respect to the first support member 11. And a moving mechanism 30 that holds it at an arbitrary height. Thereby, in addition to being able to hold the operation panel 3 at an arbitrary angle, the operation panel 3 can be translated in the vertical direction with respect to the apparatus body 1 and held at an arbitrary height. For this reason, since the operation panel 3 can respond | correspond widely to a user's back height and eye height, a user's visibility and operativity can be improved more.

  In addition, as described above, the descent stop mechanism 40 that stops the descent of the second support member 12 when the second support member 12 descends at a predetermined speed or more with respect to the first support member 11 is provided. Thereby, for example, when the user stumbles and touches the operation panel 3, the lowering of the operation panel 3 can immediately stop and support the user, so that safety can be improved.

  Further, as described above, when the lowering speed of the rack member 31 is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the actuator portion 44 engages with the rack member 31 and stops the lowering of the rack member 31. Thereby, when the descending speed of the second support member 12 is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the descending of the second support member 12 can be easily stopped.

  Further, as described above, the detection mechanism 41 detects the descending speed of the rack member 31 based on the rotational speed of the drive gear 32. Thereby, the descending speed of the rack member 31 can be easily detected.

  In addition, as described above, the rotation mechanism 20 holds the second support member 12 at a predetermined angle when the load applied in the direction perpendicular to the operation surface of the operation panel 3 is equal to or less than the first value, When the load applied in the direction perpendicular to the operation surface of the panel 3 is larger than the first value, the second support member 12 is rotated. As a result, the angle of the operation panel 3 can be changed if a load larger than the first value is applied to the operation panel 3, so that when the angle of the operation panel 3 is changed, for example, as in a conventional image forming apparatus. There is no need to release the lever member. For this reason, angle adjustment of the operation panel 3 can be performed easily.

  Further, as described above, when the load applied to the operation panel 3 in the vertical direction is equal to or less than the second value, the moving mechanism 30 holds the second support member 12 at a predetermined height and causes the operation panel 3 to move in the vertical direction. When the load applied to is larger than the second value, the second support member 12 is moved in the vertical direction. Thereby, if the load larger than a 2nd value is applied to the operation panel 3, the height of the operation panel 3 can be changed, Therefore The height adjustment of the operation panel 3 can be performed easily.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description of the embodiments but by the scope of claims for patent, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims for patent.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the operation panel support mechanism 10 is used in the image forming apparatus has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the operation panel support mechanism 10 may be used in apparatuses other than the image forming apparatus. .

  In the above embodiment, an example in which the descending stop mechanism 40 is configured by using the solenoid 42 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be configured by using, for example, a cam mechanism or other devices. .

  In the above embodiment, the detection mechanism 41 is configured using the slit disk 41a and the sensor 41b to detect the rotational speed of the drive gear 32. However, the present invention is not limited to this. . The detection mechanism 41 may be configured using, for example, a sensor that directly detects the descending speed of the rack member 31.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the example which uses a wave washer, for example in order to give the rotation mechanism 20 and the movement mechanism 30 a free stop function was shown, this invention is not limited to this. Various members capable of generating a predetermined frictional force (holding force) can be used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Apparatus main body 3 Operation panel 10 Operation panel support mechanism 11 1st support member 12 2nd support member 20 Rotation mechanism 30 Movement mechanism 31 Rack member 32 Drive gear 40 Lowering stop mechanism 41 Detection mechanism 44 Actuator part 100 Image forming apparatus

Claims (2)

An operation panel support mechanism for attaching the operation panel to the apparatus main body,
A first support member fixed to the apparatus body;
A second support member fixed to the operation panel;
A rotation mechanism that supports the second support member so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction and holds the second support member at an arbitrary angle within a rotatable range;
A support mechanism for supporting the second support member in a vertically movable manner relative to the first support member, and holding the second support member at an arbitrary height within a range in which the second support member can be translated;
A lowering stop mechanism for stopping the lowering of the second support member when the second support member is lowered at a predetermined speed or more with respect to the first support member;
Equipped with a,
The moving mechanism includes a rack member that moves up and down together with the second support member, and a drive gear that is rotatably supported by the first support member and engages with the rack member.
The lowering stop mechanism includes a detection mechanism that detects a lowering speed of the rack member, and an actuator unit that is driven based on a detection result of the detection mechanism,
When the lowering speed of the rack member is equal to or higher than the predetermined value, the actuator portion engages with the rack member to stop the lowering of the rack member,
The detection mechanism detects a lowering speed of the rack member based on a rotation speed of the drive gear,
The rotation mechanism holds the second support member at a predetermined angle when a load applied in a direction perpendicular to the operation surface of the operation panel is equal to or less than a first value, When the load applied in the vertical direction is larger than the first value, the second support member is rotated,
The moving mechanism holds the second support member at a predetermined height when the load applied to the operation panel in the vertical direction is equal to or less than a second value, and the load applied to the operation panel in the vertical direction is the second value. An operation panel support mechanism that moves the second support member in the up-down direction when the value is larger than the value of . An operation panel support mechanism according to claim 1 ;
An image forming apparatus comprising: the operation panel supported by the operation panel support mechanism.